It may just be June but there are times in a season where you figure that something special is going on and now may be that time for the playoff-starved Seattle Mariners. The Mariners are currently 21 games over .500, which is the highest they’ve flown above the .500 mark since 2003. Additionally, they are still going stride-for-stride with the defending World Series champions Houston Astros in the AL West and have currently ensured themselves of at least a series split against the similarly-high flying Boston Red Sox after picking up a couple of dramatic victories on Friday and Saturday.
The Mariners may finally have something special brewing
Sunday’s Say Hey, Baseball takes a look at how the Mariners have continued to impress all observers and take on all comers.
Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images
Friday night’s thrilling 7-6 victory for Seattle was a roller coaster affair that saw the ride reach its nadir when the Red Sox ran James Paxton from the game by scoring six runs in the third inning. It was 6-3 Boston at that point and it seemed like the Red Sox and their powerful offense had claimed another victim and another victory.
However, Seattle continued their trend of fighting until the bitter end and they eventually scratched and clawed their way to a 7-6 lead, which allowed Edwin Diaz to eventually close out the game and give the teal-clad home team the come-from-behind victory.
Then on Saturday, the Mariners proved that they could also win a low-scoring affair as they rode Wade LeBlanc for nearly eight entire innings. LeBlanc even retired 22 straight Red Sox batters at one point and while Sean Manaea may be unimpressed with Boston being dominated, the rest of us observers are impressed. All Seattle needed was an RBI single from Nelson Cruz and the 44,151 fans at Safeco Field went into delirium as they watched their team pick up another close victory.
The crowds in Seattle have been lively and energized as of late and it’s for good reason as well. It’s been far too long since the Mariners have played October baseball and when you consider the pace that the team is on right now, it’s safe to say that the long-suffering fans in the Pacific Northwest are starting to really get hyped up for what’s to come. An exciting Summer could lead way to a thrilling Fall if this keeps up for Seattle.
- The College World Series is underway but if you’ve been following the entire tournament, then Mississippi State’s late-game heroics were nothing new. They beat Washington 1-0 and did so via their third walk-off victory of the tournament.
- Speaking of the College World Series, Oregon State arrived in Omaha as the big favorites to win it all. However, the Beavers ended up being the first upset victim of this round as North Carolina toppled them in the opening game.
- The Brewers are probably going to be buyers when the trade deadline approaches. How does Jacob deGrom sound to you, Milwaukee?
- If the Brewers won’t take deGrom then our friends at Pinstripe Alley will gladly take him on the Yankees.
- Atlanta kept their grasp on first place in the NL East with another win on Saturday but they lost Mike Foltynewicz to the 10-day DL on the same day.
- Speaking of losing players to the DL, Evan Longoria is going to be out indefinitely as he’s dealing with a broken left hand.
- Marcell Ozuna is currently mashing and the crew over at Viva El Birdos tried to uncover the secret behind his recent success at the plate.
- Meanwhile, Addison Reed has been sruggling coming out of Minnesota’s bullpen and Twinkie Town is trying to explain what’s going on with him.
- It’s finally happened: The Orioles have had enough and have benched Chris Davis indefinitely. In case you aren’t keeping score at home, FanGraphs currently has him at -1.9 WAR!
- For all of the love that I have showered down upon the Mariners, it’s important to note that the Astros have won 10 straight games. They’re still really good and this could be a really fun Summer out West.
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